Gable Testifies Conduct Led To Demotions Former Chief Says Politics Had No Bearing On Actions

May 23, 1986|by JEFFREY G. FLEISHMAN, The Morning Call

Former Allentown Police Chief Carson Gable testified in federal court yesterday that he recommended the demotion of five police officers in 1982 because of their "reprehensible conduct" and not because they were politically opposed to Mayor Joseph Daddona.

Gable, wearing a blue suit, sat calmly as he said he recommended demoting the officers because they were in a clique that threatened, intimidated and in at least one instance assaulted fellow police officers. The clique, he said, was pulling down the morale of the department and giving it a bad public image.

He said he had no knowledge that at least four of the officers he demoted were politically opposed to Daddona. He also said that he had no knowledge that seven of the officers he promoted were politically supportive of Daddona and contributed to the mayor's 1981 campaign. "I'm not a political person," he said.

During the two-hour testimony of the former chief, paramedics from Allentown were waiting in a back room in the event Gable had heart problems. Gable had a heart attack several years ago because of a stress-related condition. The small courtroom here was filled with Gable's relatives and former police officers.

Gable is a key witness and defendant in the 4-year-old civil-rights suit brought against him, the city and Daddona by police officers Thomas Bennis and Roger MacLean. The trial is taking place before U.S. District Judge Daniel H. Huyett 3rd.

The officers claim they were demoted from sergeant to patrolman in January 1982 because they made anti-Daddona statements during the mayor's campaign. Bennis and MacLean, who said their First Amendment Rights were violated, allege they were victims of a conspiracy by Daddona and Gable to demote officers unfriendly to Daddona while promoting his allies.

The city alleges Bennis and

MacLean were members of a clique. Their demotions, claims the city, were an attempt to break up the clique and improve morale in the 160-member department. Gable said the clique reached such power that its members "were able to do everything contrary to the orders of the department and without fear . . . I would not tolerate this as police chief."

The former chief said the clique spied on other officers, harassed others and in one instance assaulted a rookie. The assault, said Gable, occurred in 1978 when former rookie Robert Schopf alleges that he was attacked by officer Dennis Troccola in the parking lot at the Eric Theater on 4th Street. Gable said during the attack Bennis was putting his fist in his other hand while looking at Schopf. MacLean, according to the testimony, observed.

Another incident recounted by Gable was the alleged harassment of a policeman by the clique in the municipal garage. "The officer said he had trouble leaving the garage because some of the members of this group . . . intimidated and threatened him." Gable continued that the officer "drew his nightstick" but no blows were exchanged.

Allentown attorney James Huber, who is representing Bennis and MacLean, said that his clients were unfairly demoted without a hearing and on alleged incidents that occurred four years prior. During Huber's questioning of Gable, a number of the former chief's comments contradicted earlier testimony by former assistant chief Charles Charles over how the demotions occurred.

The testimony of a number of current and former police officers and other officials over the last three days revealed a detailed look at the inner working of the police department. Because the department is not run solely on civil service standards, the testimony is painting a picture that many times officers get demoted or promoted based on who they ally themselves with.

For example, officers who were promoted when Gable was first chief in 1974 were demoted by his predecessor Arthur Allender. And when Gable came back in 1982, he demoted several officers - including Bennis and MacLean - who were promoted by Allender.

This alleged but shadowy politicking is the basis of Huber's case. He asked Gable why Bennis and MacLean were demoted without a hearing. Gable responded that he was convinced that they were in a clique that was hurting the department.

Huber: "Why didn't you talk to them to get their side?"

Gable: "I was sure in my own mind they were (in the clique)."

Huber: "The Schopf incident took place in 1978, and you demoted them on that allegation four years later?"

Gable: "Yes."

The former chief testified that in July 1982 - six months after the demotions - he issued a promotion and demotion policy. To be promoted, a person had to take written and oral tests before several management officers. To be demoted, an officer had to be given a hearing and a review by the chief and assistant chiefs.